A man who contaminated treats with sedative and gave them to youngsters at a summer program in the region has admitted sexual offences against two boys aged nine and ten years old.
Jon Ruben was arrested after eight minors and a grown-up experienced illness at the facility in July.
The senior citizen, from that region, admitted guilt to a multiple criminal counts when he stood at Leicester Crown Court on the end of the week.
However, he denied a single sexual charge he was accused of, which was involving a young boy.
The defendant was kept in jail ahead of a further hearing on late November.
'Treat game'
The prosecutor, handling the case, outlined Ruben's offending to the legal proceedings.
She explained his victims were under-privileged children who were staying at a summer program which he managed.
Ruben played a "treat game" with the children, Mrs Prior stated, in which he would enter the children's bedrooms when they were getting ready for bed and request they to consume candy "rapidly".
She informed the proceedings the man had played this game with the young males "repeatedly", and children had previously become sick the following morning.
She explained Ruben had been able to explain this repeatedly as the youngsters being "overwrought by enjoyment", until his family member had worries in July 2025.
The prosecutor stated further: "Recently" his stepchild had suspicions about the activities, for good reason.
"They resolved" to have a look in the defendant's belongings."
Mrs Prior KC explained materials including infant oil, ointment and medical needles were found, and his family member notified the authorities about his worries.
She explained Ruben continued to conduct the "treat game" with six boys that evening - that Saturday - and they were all ill the next day.
"The police had not responded by that point," she continued.
The police watchdog, the police conduct office, had stated that it was reviewing the police response of the events.
The prosecutor said the children were struggling to walk due to their sickness, so the stepson called the law enforcement a second time.
She explained Ruben then played the "treat game" in a room of five minors.
